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It’s about letting the team ride without training wheels for a change.

The Florida State Seminoles found shelter inside their state-of-the-art indoor practice facility Monday afternoon for the first scrimmage of spring practice, and coach Jimbo Fisher was pleased with what he saw from his football team.

“Well, for one thing they ain’t got their pacifier – their coach over the shoulder telling them what to do all the time,” Fisher said.

“You’re out there on the field and gotta know your assignment. The poise, composure (they) have, and also how (they) compete. You gotta turn it loose.”

“That’s the one thing I learned a long time ago, you gotta let ‘em play. Sometimes you can over-coach them. They have to be able to get out there on that field by themselves. We’ve got to learn to turn it loose. And if you don’t ever know it – let them have success and failures – you never know what you’re gonna get when the fall comes.

Even with some missing pieces on the offensive line, the FSU offense was physical and ran the ball with purpose. Returning just one of the five starting offensive linemen from last season, the Seminoles don’t lack in size and strength like they do in experience.

With the loss of so many starters from last year’s offense, Fisher and staff will likely lean on a very talented and versatile backfield.

“I like the way the offense ran the football, I did,” Fisher said.

“I really thought they were physical and ran it. I thought Jacques Patrick had one heck of a day. I thought (Mario Pender) had a couple big time runs. (Roderick Johnson) and Kareem (Are), I mean there are some big loads in there now.”

While the run game ran like a well-oiled machine, Sean Maguire made a statement of his own.

Maguire, who is fighting for the starting quarterback job showcased consistency and situational awareness, and Fisher was “very pleased” with his performance.

The defense – also missing key players to injury – flashed as well. Jalen Ramsey, who recently made a move from safety to cornerback, left an impression. Ramsey has showcased his versatility since the day he stepped on campus and continues to do so, switching positions yet again without any bumps in the road.